The El Jobo projectile points represent a distinctive ballistic innovation of Late Pleistocene Neotropical groups.This technology, characterized by its fusiform/lanceolate shape, has been recorded mainly in northwestern Venezuela in a variety of geographical areas and in association with megafauna killing/butchering sites.To address its significance and possible continental relationships, broader characterization and analysis are needed.Four consecutive approaches were conducted on a representative sample of El Jobo projectile points: A morphological classification, a technological approximation, an outline-based geometric morphometric analysis, and an elemental composition analysis.Six morphological types were recognized, for which no major differences in manufacture techniques were observed.Mainly collateral and irregular flaking patterns were identified, also recording new basal variability, including fluting, fluting-like and reconfiguration techniques.Due to fragmentation of the material, only the four most representative morphological types could be subjected to morphometric analysis.
Elliptic Fourier and Principal Component analyses identified at least three clusters, with width variation mainly distinguishing their shapes, and statistical tests determined significative differences between the main morphological types.The elemental analysis revealed the main use of quarzitic rocks, with variations in elemental composition indicative of diverse sources.The observed variability and cumulative evidence of El Jobo projectile points suggests their adaptation to diverse hunting strategies and leads us to consider long-distance connections with other projectile point technologies across the continent..
